Robertus Stoop, a Torrevieja resident and Belgian national who served in the Belgian Army, celebrated his 100th birthday at a meeting of the Royal Naval Association Torrevieja Branch (RNATB), of which he is a member.
Around 50 shipmates attended the celebration, where Robertus received a special birthday card from fellow members. As they sang “Happy Birthday”, he was given a standing ovation, and the shipmates raised a tot in his honour — a traditional Royal Naval salute involving a measure of rum. He also enjoyed his favourite Santiago cake.
Robertus captivated those present with a brief account of his life, including some of his experiences during the Second World War.
Born on 3 May 1926, he was called to Antwerp in 1948 to complete his military service. He was later sent to Germany as an interpreter with the Belgian Mission to the Allied High Commission in the British Zone.
Robertus moved to Torrevieja in December 1980. His second wife, Betty Davies, was English and sadly passed away around 18 years ago.
A keen singer, Robertus was a member of eight choirs in Torrevieja. During that time, he performed in concerts in Vienna, Austria; Gdansk, Poland; and at three concerts in Switzerland.
In 1998, he was selected internationally to perform in concerts at Harvard University. The trip also included visits to Boston and New York.
Trying to capture a 100-year life story in just a few words is, of course, almost impossible. We salute Robertus and, in his own words, wish him “many more birthdays”.
Tony Jenkins
Chairman, RNATB
